WMUK gets CPB grant for new digital transmitter

Nov. 16, 2005

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's National Public Radio
station WMUK 102.1 FM has received a challenge grant of $75,000
from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to convert its analog
transmitter and signal to digital.

Converting to a digital signal will improve the signal quality
of the radio station, says Floyd Pientka, the station's general
manager.

"It will be like going from the existing FM signal to
CD quality," Pientka says. "The presence and definition
of the sound will be enhanced, and there will be better signal
coverage in the primary coverage area. There won't be the phenomenon
of the signal gradually fading out. It ought to improve the reception
for the majority of the listening audience."

Listeners will have to have a digital receiver to pick up
the new digital signal, but the station also will continue to
transmit in the current analog signal. So those who do not have
a digital receiver can still listen to the station as they always
have.

Those with digital receivers, including those now being installed
in many new cars and trucks, also will see other advantages.
Instead of showing the station's broadcast numbers, the radio
will display the station's call letters and other text information,
such as the name of the musical selection being played.

Down the road, the new transmitter also could allow for transmitting
over two separate channels, one for news and information and
one for music and entertainment, Pientka says.

The grant comes with a catch: WMUK must provide a $75,000
match to qualify for the award. The station also must modify
its transmitter building to accommodate the additional cooling
and security needs of the new equipment.

Despite the cost of matching the grant, the station is very
happy to obtain the CPB funding, Pientka says.

"It is very fortunate that we got this grant now,"
he says. "Federal funds may not be available for a further
round of such grants, especially given the needs of the Hurricane
Katrina disaster."